Hello,
I just cut down (9/3 a sweet gum and have some logs for anyone in Norristown, Pa area. 14 to 16 down. 16 to 18 long. I am going to try and core one, rest is up for grabs.
Bob
Cored set from log. Logs in background.
IMG_0640.JPG
Hello,
I just cut down (9/3 a sweet gum and have some logs for anyone in Norristown, Pa area. 14 to 16 down. 16 to 18 long. I am going to try and core one, rest is up for grabs.
Bob
Cored set from log. Logs in background.
IMG_0640.JPG
Last edited by Bob Coates; 09-04-2014 at 2:55 PM. Reason: wrong date. added cored bowl pic.
Hmmm, I WILL be in Philly for the NBM show... <thinking>
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I just obtained a huge sweet gum tree and turned it for the first time. Turns great.
here's a tip...
once you cut into half logs, go ahead and cut your half log round (into a bowl blank) - you can leave the bark on for a NE bowl, or cut into a flat disk.
wrap the entire blank tightly with plastic wrap. I use a big roll (from U-Haul store).
set it aside for several months. You'll see the wood under the wrap turn black.
then unwrap and turn.
thank me later.
Plastic wrap? Better than Anchorseal? Sweet gum is pretty much prone to cracking...... Interesting.
I think Shawn is shooting for spalting, Kyle...
Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )
Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
Delta 18-900L 18" drill press
Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
Freeware: InkScape, Paint.NET, DoubleCAD XT
Paidware: Wacom Intuos4 (Large), CorelDRAW X5
yes, I'm forcing it to spalt - I have 2 blanks ready to turn. If I get to them this weekend (and I really need to), I'll post pictures.
plain sweet gum is usually just kinda "blah" - but get it spalted, and it's fantastic.
Wish I'd read that wrap trick 6 months ago When you say round before wrapping you don't mean a fully roughed bowl but just the roughed outside?
The stuff I didn't get turned right away did indeed split horribly, completely unusable (granted it's hot and desert dry here). Considering how intertwined the grain is, that was a bit of a surprise.
It does turn quite nicely though, much more please with it than my previous free tree which was elm (nice when done we'll say ).
I knew you were forcing it to spalt, I was wondering if the plastic wrap would also prevent the cracking? I like spalt. I'm going to have to try that. It only makes sense that it would help prevent cracking.....
Thanks for the tip!
Spalted sweetgum is a great seller. Every turner I know sells out of spalted sweet gum bowls or hollow forms. It will turn punky very quickly after it spalts. Does not store well. Turns easy and finishes great. A very coveted wood here in South Mississippi.